Sea Fever are a dynamic five-piece electronica band who’ve firmly established themselves within Manchester’s vibrant and ever-evolving music scene. Featuring members from iconic acts such as New Order, Section 25, and Johnny Marr’s band, they seamlessly blend a storied musical heritage with a fresh, forward-thinking sound. In May, they released their critically acclaimed second album, Surface Sound, and have now unveiled a brand new single – one that holds deep personal significance, featuring guest vocals from a close friend.
Titled ‘Explanation’, the track was previously available only as a physical release – a bonus 7” included exclusively with the indie vinyl edition of Surface Sound. What makes this release especially poignant is that it features one of the final, if not the very last, known recordings of the late Denise Johnson’s remarkable voice, captured shortly before her passing in 2020.
Throughout her illustrious career, Denise lent her powerful, soulful voice to a multitude of era-defining tracks, including Primal Scream’s ‘Don’t Fight It, Feel It’ and Electronic’s ‘Get the Message’. Her collaboration with Sea Fever began during studio sessions in 2019 with the band’s bassist and songwriter, Tom Chapman – sessions that were sadly cut short by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Revisiting ‘Explanation‘ was a deeply emotional experience for Tom; while completing the track stands as a heartfelt tribute to Denise’s legacy, it also meant confronting the profound loss of a dear friend all over again.
A powerful call-and-response duet, ‘Explanation‘ unites the commanding, vibrant vocals of Denise with the band’s own Beth Cassidy, whose emotive performance meets Denise’s unmistakable presence with grace, intensity, and depth. While the lyrics are minimal, they glide effortlessly over the infectious groove laid down by drummer Elliot Barlow, resulting in a track that is both rhythmically compelling and emotionally resonant.
‘Explanation’ is more than just a release. Far from a typical single, it stands as a farewell, a heartfelt thank you, and a poignant reminder of how fortunate we all were to experience Denise Johnson’s extraordinary voice in our lifetime.
Surface Sound is available in multiple formats – including CD, vinyl, and digital – from the band’s official website.